Chapter 419: Strict Hierarchy Below the Self

A full divine soul brings clarity of mind, thoughts racing like lightning, and perfect recall—benefits too numerous to list.

This opportunity should have belonged to Liang Gou’er, but for reasons unknown, it had fallen into Xu Sanyan’s hands instead.

Xu Sanyan stroked the Lingzhi mushroom in his palm, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light. After a long moment, he asked softly, “How did you obtain this?”

Seeing Xu Sanyan’s heightened emotion, Liang Gou’er guessed that the mushroom might indeed be beneficial to Brother Liang. His efforts hadn’t been in vain. Beaming, he replied, “I found it on Zhangzhi Mountain. There was an ugly creature guarding it. I lured it away, secretly plucked the mushroom, and ran.”

Liang Gou’er made it sound simple, but only he knew the true danger involved. The ugly creature had nearly disemboweled him; if not for sheer luck, he might never have returned alive.

Liang Gou’er had no regrets. He had risked his life to obtain this treasure, not only to repay Xu Sanyan for avenging him but also for another purpose…

Xu Sanyan’s smile grew even warmer. Ignoring Liang Gou’er’s filthy hair, he gently stroked it with his large hand. “This item is of great use to me, so I won’t stand on ceremony. Tell me what you desire, and if it’s within my power, I will grant it.”

Sensing Liang Gou’er’s confusion, Xu Sanyan added helpfully, “If you wish to become an official, you can train under my Senior Brother first. If you desire wealth and comfort, I will grant you a thousand gold.”

Hearing this, Liang Gou’er flipped over and knelt, kowtowing three times with resounding thuds. He cried out, “Gou’er seeks neither officialdom nor a thousand gold! I only beg the immortal to accept me as a disciple!”

This was the true reason Liang Gou’er had risked his life for this treasure—he wanted to become a disciple!

He yearned to become someone like Brother Liang, roaming the world with a sword, earning the respect of all. He wanted to help the weak and punish the wicked with righteous fury.

Now that the opportunity was before him, he would seize it with all his might!

He would become a disciple!

Become a disciple?

Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow. This was the first time anyone had ever asked to become his disciple. Could he really take on a disciple and impart his teachings now?

The thought made his heart skip a beat.

Yes, I’ve already reached the Peak Stage of Soul Refinement. Not only am I qualified to take on disciples, but I could even establish my own sect.

He recalled the Junior High Priest, who governed all cultivators in an entire province. His cultivation level was no higher than Xu Sanyan’s own.

Time had passed swiftly, and everything had changed. He was no longer the same person he once was.

“Rise,” Xu Sanyan said, withdrawing his hand. His face remained calm, revealing nothing of his inner thoughts.

Liang Gou’er cautiously raised his head, his heart sinking. Had he been rejected?

No!

He had to try again!

“Gou’er asks for nothing more than to serve by the immortal’s side!” Liang Gou’er shouted, his voice drawing a crowd of onlookers. The crowd watched the scene in silence, their thoughts varied.

Some were skeptical: A dignified immortal would never accept a beggar as a disciple.

Others were amused: This Liang Gou’er thinks he can take advantage of the immortal’s kindness?

Still others were intrigued: If Liang Gou’er succeeds, could I try too?

Everyone knew Xu Sanyan was extraordinary, far beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators. Even the other cultivators in Zhangzhi City dared not breathe deeply in his presence, the omnipresent pressure nearly crushing them to their knees.

Such a figure belonged on an immortal mountain, in the capital city, or at the very least within a prefecture. He had no place in this remote backwater like Zhangzhi City.

Anyone who could obtain even a fragment of his legacy would surely benefit from it for a lifetime.

The air grew still as Xu Sanyan frowned in contemplation. Liang Gou’er waited anxiously, while the onlookers held their breath in anticipation.

Liang Gou’er had never felt time move so slowly. Only now did he truly understand what his grandfather meant by “each day feels like a year.”

Finally, Xu Sanyan spoke, “This venerable one should not accept disciples. However, fate has brought us together, and it would be unwise to dismiss you outright. I will give you a chance. If you succeed, I will accept you as my disciple. If you fail, it means we are destined to meet but not to be bound.”

Xu Sanyan continued, “But there is one condition you must understand beforehand. If you agree but fail to complete the task, the thousand gold coins I promised will be forfeited. Consider this carefully and give me your answer tomorrow.”

Xu Sanyan found this way of speaking very impressive, perfectly aligning with the persona he had cultivated.

Whether he actually took Liang Gou’er as his disciple was ultimately unimportant. Even if he did, he had no intention of teaching him properly. With his own affairs already overwhelming him, where would he find the time? He had only agreed to give the boy a chance to maintain his image and justify taking the Lingzhi mushroom with a clear conscience. What could be better?

Liang Gou’er was overjoyed and immediately accepted without hesitation. “I accept! Please give me the test, Immortal.”

Now that the path to immortality had opened before him, why would he hesitate?

Xu Sanyan’s mind raced as he considered what kind of trial to give the boy. After a moment, he had an idea. He beckoned, “Follow me.”

“Yes.”

Liang Gou’er brushed the dust off his clothes and hurried after him.

The surrounding villagers, seeing the beggar boy’s apparent opportunity to become a disciple of the Immortal Master, began to harbor their own ambitions. They were unaware that Liang Gou’er had earned this chance by offering the Lingzhi mushroom; they simply assumed Xu Sanyan was kind-hearted.

Kind-hearted?

“That’s for sure.”

In a secluded spot, Xu Sanyan retrieved the secret realm fruit, peeling back its layers of concealment. Liang Gou’er stared curiously at the dull gray sphere that glowed faintly, wondering what it was.

“This treasure contains its own realm,” Xu Sanyan explained. “I will use my magic to send you inside. If you survive, we can discuss further matters. Do you dare to try?”

Liang Gou’er didn’t understand Xu Sanyan’s words. What did “its own realm” mean? Was this a world? But how could a world be held in someone’s hand?

Though he didn’t comprehend, Liang Gou’er knew one thing: opportunities were rare and precious. He nodded emphatically. “Please send me in, Immortal Master.”

“Very well.”

Xu Sanyan grabbed Liang Gou’er’s hand and pressed it against the secret realm fruit. He then frantically poured spiritual power into it, draining seventy percent of his reserves. The gray light flared violently, and Liang Gou’er vanished instantly.

“Good luck.”

Xu Sanyan pocketed the secret realm fruit and turned back toward the prefectural office. He cared little for Liang Gou’er’s fate. If the boy died, so be it. But if he miraculously survived, congratulations to Liang Gou’er—he would have taken the first step toward earning the right to serve Xu Sanyan like a dog.

But it was only the first step. He still had much to prove. Not just anyone could become Xu Sanyan’s dog; there were standards to meet.

After a night had passed,

Outside the city, Xu Sanyan was carving formation patterns when he suddenly sensed a figure behind him. Turning his head, he saw an old man staring blankly at the patterns, his brow furrowing occasionally as if struggling to comprehend them.

“Who are you?” Xu Sanyan demanded coldly, his eyes flashing with sharp insight as he quickly assessed the old man’s cultivation level.

He never showed courtesy to cultivators weaker than himself, preferring to maintain an air of authority.

Above me, all lives are equal.

Below me, hierarchy reigns supreme.

(End of the Chapter)